Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I was just wondering about this. And I'm not talking about SNL or soap operas that have been on the air for 75 years. What scripted shows had a complete change of cast over their run? I never watched ER but I know it had a lot of cast changes. Did anyone stay for the entire show?

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Does the first run of Doctor Who count (1963 to 1989)?

1963 Cast:
The Doctor - William Hartnell
Susan - Carole Ann Ford
Ian - William Russell
Barbara - Jacqueline Hill

1989 Cast:
The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
Ace - Sophie Aldred

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

the planet Earth. Started with one-celled animals, ends with a bunch of apes battling Charlton Heston.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Law and Order.
S. Epatha Merkerson is probably the only character that lasted almost the entire 20 years and she didn't start as an original cast.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Easiest answer: Law & Order.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I assume Gunsmoke came close, but I think James Arness was there from start to finish.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

NYPD Blue: The only cast member that stayed all 12 seasons was Dennis Franz

24: The only cast member that stayed all 8 seasons was Kiefer Sutherland.

Melrose Place

Law and Order: CI: Although Goren and Eames did return for the final season which wraps up tonight

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

What about Thomas Calabro on Melrose? Unless you're counting the reboot -- can't remember if he was in the finale.

Gordon Clapp was close on NYPD Blue. I don't think he was in the pilot though.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Yeah your right Calabro was the only cast member who stayed the entire time, but he was only a recurring guest star on the reboot, so I don't think that really counts.

Gordon Clapp (Medavoy) was definitely not in the Pilot of NYPD Blue and I looked at his credits and he has about 40 fewer episodes than Franz, who was there the entire time.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I didn't think about Law and Order.

I'm currently watching season 2 of Sliders so I don't know exactly how it ends up, but I think the majority of the cast left before the end. Of course there was only 4 characters from the start.

David Boreanaz was the only remaining character on Angel, but they only started with 3.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Outside of Mr. and Mrs. Coach, the main cast of Friday Night Lights is ending with basically no one from the premier.

I miss NYPD Blue. :sad:

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

me too.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

ER was completely different at the end.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

There are a couple David E Kelley shows that had major overhauls with only one or two characters remaining the entire series. Boston Public, Chicago Hope, The Practice.

Smallville just had Clark and Chloe last the whole 10 seasons.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Yeah Cleavant Derricks is the only character that stayed five seasons.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Started with:
Joel Hodgson
Trace Beaulieu
Josh Weinstein

Ended with:
Mike Nelson
Kevin Murphy
Bill Corbett
Mary Joe Pehl

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Julie Taylor. Saracen has been on practically the entire show too.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Wasn't Chloe MIA for at least one season?

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Me three... they don't show it on syndication anymore either.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

She was only in a handful of episodes for the 10th season, but she received top billing for those (instead of the "Special Guest Star" credit).

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I would have liked to have seen how Sipowicz would have handled things as the boss.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I'm watching The Tudors via Netflix right now, currently 3 episodes into the 3rd season. That show has huge turnover, with Rhys Meyers and Cavill being the only actors still there's since the beginning.

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

Boston Public had at atleast 4 characters that lasted the whole (short) 4 season run. Man I want the DVDs so bad...

Re: Shows that ended with a different cast than when they started
 

I think you're right. I'd glanced at the IMDB cast and saw 3 characters in every episode. I think there were another 2 characters that lasted all 4 seasons, but they weren't in every episode.

A DVD set would be nice. I wouldn't mind going back and watching that series again.